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{{Short description| Roleplaying gamebook}}

[[Image:original_logo.gif|thumb|90px|right|The original Fighting Fantasy logo]]

{{Italic title}}

{{Use British English|date=September 2014}}

{{Infobox game

| title = Fighting Fantasy

| image = [[Image:Warlock 25th.jpg|250px|center]]

| caption = The 25th anniversary edition of ''[[The Warlock of Firetop Mountain]]'', originally published in 1982 and the first in the ''Fighting Fantasy'' series

| designer = [[Ian Livingstone]], [[Steve Jackson (UK)|Steve Jackson]]

| publisher = [[Puffin Books|Puffin]], Wizard Books

| date = 1982

| genre = [[Fantasy]]

| system = [[Gamebook]]

|players=| footnotes =

}}

'''''Fighting Fantasy''''' is a series of single -player [[roleplayingrole-playing]] gamebooks published by [[Puffin Books|Puffingamebook]]. There are 59 books in the series, beginning with ''[[The Warlock of Firetop Mountain]]'' in 1982 and concluding with ''[[Curse of the Mummy]]'' in 1995. The series wass created by [[Steve Jackson (UK game designer)|Steve Jackson]] and [[Ian Livingstone]],. who authored theThe first ten booksvolume in the series before the writing stable was expanded.published Note that Jackson should not be confused with the American game designer of thein [[Steve Jackson (US)|same namepaperback]], who presently runsby [[StevePuffin Jackson GamesBooks|Puffin]] andin himself authored three Fighting Fantasy books - ''[[Scorpion Swamp]]'', ''[[Demons of the Deep]]'' and ''[[Robot Commando]]''1982.

The series distinguished itself by mixing [[Choose Your Own Adventure]]–style storytelling with a dice-based role-playing element included within the books themselves. The caption on many of the covers claimed each title was an adventure "in which YOU are the hero!" The majority of the titles followed a fantasy theme, although [[science fiction]], [[post-apocalyptic]], [[superhero]], and modern [[Horror fiction|horror]] gamebooks were also published. The popularity of the series led to the creation of merchandise such as action figures, board games, role-playing game systems, magazines, novels, and video games.

Fighting Fantasy gamebooks were similar to other interactive gamebooks which were being published at the time, most notably the [[Choose Your Own Adventure]] series, in that the player is required to make many choices over the course of the story, turning to different pages in order to learn the outcome of their decisions. The Fighting Fantasy series distinguished itself by the use of a dice mechanic used to resolve combat and other situations, not dissimilar to that used in [[Dungeons and Dragons]] and other roleplaying games, though far simpler.

Puffin ended the series in 1995, but the rights to the series were eventually purchased by Wizard Books in 2002. Wizard published new editions of the original books and also commissioned six new books over two series, ending in 2012. The rights were then acquired by Scholastic in 2017, which has since published four new titles and reissued thirteen of the original books with new artwork.

With the notable exception of [[Steve Jackson (UK)|Steve Jackson's]] ''[[Sorcery!]]'' miniseries, all entries in the series are standalone and do not assume any prior knowledge on the part of the player. That said, many of them take place in a single world known as [[Titan (Fighting Fantasy)|Titan]], and the three books which deal with the wizard [[Zagor (Fighting Fantasy)|Zagor]] (''[[The Warlock of Firetop Mountain]]'', ''[[Return to Firetop Mountain]]'' and ''[[Legend of Zagor]]'') are undoubtedly more rewarding if played in sequence.

==HistoryOverview==

The main text of each gamebook does not progress in a linear fashion, but rather is divided into a series of numbered sections (usually 400,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/books/crystal-of-storms-rhianna-pratchett-helps-fighting-fantasy-roleplay-books/|title = With Crystal of Storms, Rhianna Pratchett Helps Reboot Fighting Fantasy Roleplay Books|date = 30 September 2020}}</ref> though a few are shorter or longer). Beginning at the first section, the reader typically must pick one of a series of options provided by the text, each option being detailed at a separate non-sequential numbered section (e.g. the reader may be presented with a choice to turn from section 1 directly to either section 83 or section 180) which in turn provides an outcome for the option chosen. The book continues in this fashion until their character is killed in combat, is stopped by the story, or completes the story. "''Fighting Fantasy'' gamebooks empower the reader, who felt the anxiety or joy of being fantasy heroes themselves – they lived or died by their decisions. And if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again," said Ian Livingstone of the format.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://damiengwalter.com/2012/08/28/fighting-fantasy-interview-with-ian-livingstone/|title=I interviewed Ian Livingstone creator of Fighting Fantasy about the future of gaming|last=Walter|first=Damien G.|date=2012-08-28|website=Nomad Writer|access-date=2018-07-19}}</ref>

The typical ''Fighting Fantasy'' gamebook tasks players with completing a quest. A successful play usually ends with the player reaching the final numbered section of the book. In some cases this can only be achieved by obtaining various story items (e.g. gems in ''[[Deathtrap Dungeon]]'');<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingfantasygamebooks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=9 |title=FF3: Deathtrap Dungeon |publisher=Fightingfantasygamebooks.com |access-date=2011-12-12}}</ref> many of the titles only feature one path to the solution.

[[Image:the_warlock_of_firetop_mountain.jpg|right|thumb|128px|The first Fighting Fantasy gamebook]]

All ''Fighting Fantasy'' gamebooks are illustrated, including full-page pieces and smaller, repeated images scattered throughout the book as breaks or space fillers between sections. Regular contributors (excluding Scholastic editions) included [[Les Edwards]], Terry Oakes, [[Russ Nicholson]], Leo Hartas, [[Ian Miller (illustrator)|Ian Miller]], [[John Blanche]], Martin McKenna, and [[Iain McCaig]].

In 1980 Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone were employed by [[Games Workshop]], and decided to capitalise on the spreading enthusiasm for Dungeons and Dragons by creating a series of single player gamebooks. Their first submission, ''The Magic Quest'', was a short adventure intended to demonstrate the style of game which they sought to create. ''The Magic Quest'' took over a year to be accepted by [[Penguin Books]], at which point the two creators devoted a further six months to expanding and improving upon their original design, resulting in ''[[The Warlock of Firetop Mountain]]'', the first Fighting Fantasy gamebook. After several rewrites the book was accepted and published in 1982 under Penguin's children's imprint, Puffin.

=== System ===

Following on from the success of the first book, Jackson and Livingstone began to write solo adventures in order to better utilise their time. In 1983 Jackson produced the second Fighting Fantasy adventure, ''[[The Citadel of Chaos]]'', and Livingstone the third: ''[[The Forest of Doom]]''. After the seventh installment in the series, ''[[Island of the Lizard King]]'' ([[Ian Livingstone|Livingstone, 1984]]), the decision was made to expand the number of writers working on the project. The second Steve Jackson (from this point on referred to as [[Steve Jackson (US)|'Steve Jackson(2)']]) was added to the roster, and his ''[[Scorpion Swamp]]'' was published that year. From that point on many more authors began to contribute to the series, including [[Andrew Chapman]], [[Carl Sargent]], [[Marc Gascoigne]] and [[Peter Darvill-Evans]].

Each ''Fighting Fantasy'' gamebook requires the reader to create their character, randomly assigning scores to three statistics (skill, stamina, and luck).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/apr/04/fighting-fantasy-game-books-charlie-higson-interview|title = Dare YOU face the orcs? 80s game books Fighting Fantasy return|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 4 April 2018}}</ref> These, in conjunction with rolling six-sided dice, are used to resolve skill challenges and the combat sections. Some titles use additional statistics or conflict resolution mechanics; most also require the reader to keep an inventory of items.

=== Setting ===

The series enjoyed good sales all through the eighties, but these began to slacken in the early nineties and the series was slated to conclude with book 50, ''[[Return to Firetop Mountain]]'' ([[Ian Livingstone|Livingstone]], 1992). This book was unexpectedly successful, selling better than any recent book and prompting an increase in demand for the Fighting Fantasy back catalogue. As a result of this ten more books were commissioned but only nine were ever published; to this day book 60, ''[[Bloodbones]]'', has never been in print.

Most early ''Fighting Fantasy'' titles were set in locations later revealed to be on the same continent called Allansia. Later a whole world named Titan was developed, with subsequent gamebooks set on three main continents—Allansia, Khul and the Old World.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightingfantasy.com/ffbadv2.htm |title=Titan |date=2005-09-01 |access-date=2011-12-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050901091834/http://www.fightingfantasy.com/ffbadv2.htm |archive-date=September 1, 2005 }}</ref> Other titles are set in unrelated fantasy, horror, modern day, and sci-fi environments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scifinow.co.uk/top-tens/top-10-best-fighting-fantasy-game-books/|title = Top 10 best Fighting Fantasy game books|date = 23 March 2012}}</ref>

==Publication history==

In 2002 Wizard Books purchased the rights to the Fighting Fantasy series and has put many of the original titles back into print, making the controversial decision to change the order of the books in order to fit their reduced lineup (thus far only books by Jackson and Livingstone have been published) and to incorporate the ''[[Sorcery!]]'' miniseries into the core series. The original cover art has also been replaced. Ian Livingstone has written a new Fighting Fantasy book for the Wizard series, ''[[Eye of the Dragon]]'', with more expected to follow. The [http://www.fightingfantasygamebooks.com official Wizard website] mentions the final book in the original series, the as yet unpublished ''[[Bloodbones]]'', as a possible future release.

In 1980, Steve Jackson (not to be confused with the [[Steve Jackson (US game designer)|US-based game designer of the same name]]) and Ian Livingstone attended a [[Games Day]], and after meeting with a [[Penguin Books]] editor Geraldine Cook decided to create a series of single-player gamebooks. Their first submission, ''The Magic Quest'', was a short adventure intended to demonstrate the style of game. ''The Magic Quest'' was eventually accepted by Penguin, although the authors devoted a further six months to expanding and improving upon their original concept.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingfantasy.com/fffaq.htm#format |title=Fighting Fantasy FAQ |date=2005-11-27 |access-date=2011-12-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127132716/http://www.fightingfantasy.com/fffaq.htm#format |archive-date=November 27, 2005 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ian_livingstone_and_steve_jackson_interview/|title=Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson interview|last=Hamblin|first=Jon|date=2007-08-24|website=Gamesradar|access-date=2018-07-19}}</ref>

===Puffin Books (1982–1995)===

The result was ''[[The Warlock of Firetop Mountain]]'' and, after several rewrites, the book was accepted and published in 1982 under Penguin's children's imprint, Puffin Books. Following the success of this title,<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingfantasy.com/fffaq.htm#sold |title=Fighting Fantasy FAQ |date=2005-11-27 |access-date=2011-12-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127132716/http://www.fightingfantasy.com/fffaq.htm#sold |archive-date=November 27, 2005 }}</ref> Jackson and Livingstone began writing individually to create additional ''Fighting Fantasy'' gamebooks.

This series was published under Puffin's newly-created ''Adventure Gamebooks'' banner, which eventually would hold not only the ''Fighting Fantasy'' series, but ''[[The Cretan Chronicles]]'' trilogy, the ''Starlight Adventures'' series, and the individual role-playing game ''[[Maelstrom (role playing game)|Maelstrom]]'' as well.<ref name="Imagine26">{{cite journal | last = Davis |first = Graeme |author-link = Graeme Davis (game designer) | title =Notices | type = review | journal = [[Imagine (game magazine)|Imagine]] | issue = 26| pages =40| publisher = TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd. |date=May 1985}}</ref>

==Setting==

In 1983, ''[[The Citadel of Chaos]]'' and ''[[The Forest of Doom]]'' were published, by Jackson and Livingstone respectively. Four more titles quickly followed: ''[[Starship Traveller]]'' (the first title with a [[science fiction]] setting), ''[[City of Thieves (gamebook)|City of Thieves]]'', ''[[Deathtrap Dungeon]]'', and ''[[Island of the Lizard King]]''; Jackson writing one and Livingstone writing three. In 1984, a decision was made to hire additional writers to expand the series more quickly: Steve Jackson (the U.S.-based founder and owner of [[Steve Jackson Games]]) was the first, followed by others such as Andrew Chapman, [[Carl Sargent]] (aka Keith Martin), [[Marc Gascoigne]], and [[Peter Darvill-Evans]]. Jackson and Livingstone, however, continued to be involved and approved all cover and internal illustrations within the UK.<ref name="archive1">{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingfantasy.com/fffaq.htm#version |title=Fighting Fantasy FAQ |date=2005-11-27 |access-date=2011-12-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127132716/http://www.fightingfantasy.com/fffaq.htm#version |archive-date=November 27, 2005 }}</ref>

The majority of the Fighting Fantasy books are set in the [[heroic fantasy]] world of [[Titan (Fighting Fantasy)|Titan]] - 46 of the 59 core books take place there, plus the ''[[Sorcery!]]'' spinoff. Like many [[fantasy]] settings, Titan corresponds roughly to medievil [[Europe]], with the addition of magic, monsters and several sentient non-human races. Titan consists of three continents; they are, from most commonly visited to least, Allansia, The Old World and Khul. The scattered and somewhat incoherent information gleaned about the world of Titan from the gamebooks is consolidated and supplemented by a guide titled simply ''[[Titan (book)|Titan]]'' ([[Marc Gascoigne|Gascoigne]], [[Steve Jackson (UK)|Jackson]] & [[Ian Livingstone|Livingstone]], 1986).

Jackson wrote a self-contained four-part series titled ''[[Steve Jackson's Sorcery!]]'' (1983-1985), which combined the use of combat and sorcery, and introduced the continent later known as the Old World. These featured dice images at the bottom of each page, making it possible for the player to randomly flip through the pages for the equivalent of a dice roll (the ''Fighting Fantasy'' titles published by Wizard Books used the same device).

[[image:star_strider.jpg|right|128px|thumb|One of the few [[science fiction|SF]] Fighting Fantasy books]]

Andrew Chapman and Martin Allen also wrote a two-book, two-player adventure titled ''[[Clash of the Princes]]'' (1986). There were also [[List of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks|several supplemental books]] produced that provided more information about the ''Fighting Fantasy'' universe, including a comprehensive bestiary of monsters and a sample adventure.

''[[Legend of Zagor]]'' ([[Ian Livingstone|Livingstone]], 1993) is set in a second fantasy world, Amarilla, as are the third and fourth volumes of ''[[The Zagor Chronicles]]'' ([[Ian Livingstone|Livingstone]], 1993-94). As characters are able to travel between Titan and Amarilla it cannot be considered a truly seperate world, but rather an expansion of the Titan setting.

Although the ''Fighting Fantasy'' titles had successful sales<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingfantasy.com/fffaq.htm#Concept|title=Fighting Fantasy FAQ|date=2005-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127132716/http://www.fightingfantasy.com/fffaq.htm#Concept|archive-date=November 27, 2005|url-status=dead|access-date=2011-12-12}}</ref> the increasing dominance of video games in the 1990s caused a gradual decline. The series was scheduled to conclude with ''[[Return to Firetop Mountain]]'' (book 50, Livingstone, 1992), but due to strong sales of that volume, ten more books were scheduled. Nine were published,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/steve-jackson-ian-livingstone-283-v16n12/|title=Steve Jackson & Ian Livingstone|website=Vice.com|date=2 December 2009 }}</ref> the series ending with ''[[Curse of the Mummy]]'' (1995). ''[[Bloodbones]]'', the tenth scheduled title (meant to have been book 60 in the series) was cancelled, but was eventually published by Wizard Books as part of their later reprinting efforts.

A third fantasy world called Orb features in book 11, ''[[Talisman of Death]]'' ([[Jamie Thomson|Thomson]] & [[Mark Smith|Smith]], 1984). Orb is also the setting of Thompson and Smith's otherwise unrelated series of gamebooks ''[[Way of the Tiger]]''.

===Wizard Books===

In addition to these, a small minority of Fighting Fantasy books employ a [[science fiction]] setting. It is never specified whether or not these books are intended to be set in the same world, but the lack of consistency between them or mention of common locations indicate that they are not. The science fiction books, in order of publication, are ''[[Starship Traveller]]'' ([[Steve Jackson (UK)|Jackson]], 1983), ''[[Space Assassin]]'' ([[Andrew Chapman|Chapman]], 1985), ''[[The Rings of Kether]]'' ([[Andrew Chapman|Chapman]], 1985), ''[[Rebel Planet]]'', ([[Robin Waterfield|Waterfield]], 1985), ''[[Robot Commando]]'' ([[Steve Jackson (US)|Jackson(2)]], 1985), ''[[Star Strider]]'' ([[Luke Sharp|Sharp]], 1987), ''[[Sky Lord]]'' ([[Martin Allen (writer)|Allen]], 1988) and ''[[Spectral Stalkers]]'' ([[Peter Darvill-Evans|Darvill-Evans]], 1991).

====Series 1 (2002–2007)====

In 2002, Wizard Books acquired the rights to the ''Fighting Fantasy'' series and reprinted many of the original titles in a revised order (initially only the gamebooks actually written by Jackson and/or Livingstone were published), starting with ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain''. They also incorporated the ''Sorcery!'' miniseries, as books 9, 11, 13, and 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingfantasycollector.co.uk/wizard_covers.htm |title=Wizard Covers |publisher=Fightingfantasycollector.co.uk |access-date=2011-12-12}}</ref> A new title, ''[[Eye of the Dragon]]'' (by Ian Livingstone) was released in 2005, followed by ''Bloodbones'' in 2006 and ''Howl of the Werewolf'' in 2007. This series used a new logo, the rationale being that the old covers did not suit the modern market.<ref>{{cite web

|url=http://www.fightingfantasygamebooks.com/interviews_simon1.htm

|title=Interview with Simon Flynn on the official Fighting Fantasy website

|access-date=2005-08-08

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050322130101/http://www.fightingfantasygamebooks.com/interviews_simon1.htm

|archive-date=2005-03-22

|url-status=dead

}}</ref>

2007 also marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of ''Fighting Fantasy'', and to commemorate the event Wizard Books published a special hardcover edition of ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'' that used the original 1982 cover image and contained extra material such as the dungeon solution and a commentary on ''Fighting Fantasy'' by Livingstone. This series concluded that same year, ending with 29 books.

Finally, ''[[House of Hell]]'' ([[Steve Jackson (UK)|Jackson]], 1984) is the only Fighting Fantasy book set in modern-day Earth.

====Series 2 (2009–2012)====

==System==

Wizard Books then began again with a new series of reprints in 2009, again featuring a different cover art style, and again starting with ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain''. These books were physically larger than prior releases, being produced in [[Paperback#B-format|B-format]] (like the original ''Advanced Fighting Fantasy'' volumes). Three other original titles were added during this run,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightingfantasy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=9 |title=Gamebooks |publisher=Fighting Fantasy |access-date=2011-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129055941/http://www.fightingfantasy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=9 |archive-date=2012-01-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> including ''Blood of the Zombies'' by Ian Livingstone to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary in 2012.<ref>{{cite book|title=Blood of the Zombies |id={{ASIN|1848314051|country=uk}} }}</ref> This series was 17 books long, although ''Blood of the Zombies'', the last volume released, is unnumbered and packaged differently than the rest.

===Scholastic Books (2017–)===

The Fighting Fantasy system, in comparison with the mechanics employed in [[roleplaying]] games like [[Dungeons and Dragons]] or even the similar [[Lone Wolf]] series, is extremly simple. The player character, in the majority of books, has only three statistics - Skill, Stamina and Luck, which are determined by random die rolls at the beginning of the adventure.

A new ''Fighting Fantasy'' book by Livingstone, ''The Port of Peril'', was published in August 2017 by [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]] in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightingfantasy.com/copy-of-ff-gamebooks-1|title=FF Press Releases|website=Fighting Fantasy|access-date=2018-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720225726/https://www.fightingfantasy.com/copy-of-ff-gamebooks-1|archive-date=2018-07-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> Scholastic also released five of the original books. Instead of reusing the original artwork or its style, Scholastic commissioned new artwork.<ref>[http://www.beastsofwar.com/fighting-fantasy/books-relaunching-scholastic/ Beastsofwar.com] (Retrieved 3 August 2017)</ref> In April 2018, a further six titles were published, including a new adventure by author [[Charlie Higson]], entitled ''The Gates of Death''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightingfantasy.com/charlie-higson-interview|title=Interview with Charlie Higson bestselling author of The Gates of Death|date=2018|website=Fighting Fantasy|access-date=2018-07-20}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/apr/04/fighting-fantasy-game-books-charlie-higson-interview|title=Dare YOU face the orcs? 80s game books Fighting Fantasy return|last=Flood|first=Alison|date=2018-04-04|website=The Guardian|access-date=2018-07-20}}</ref> Three more titles were published in September 2019, including Livingstone's new adventure ''Assassins of Allansia''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gamebooknews.com/2019/06/07/fighting-fantasy-assassins-of-allansia/|title=Fighting Fantasy: Gamebook News|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625233543/https://gamebooknews.com/2019/06/07/fighting-fantasy-assassins-of-allansia/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In October 2020, two new titles were published, including a new adventure entitled ''Crystal of Storms'', the first in the series by a female author, [[Rhianna Pratchett]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warlock|first=The|date=2020-06-25|title=Fighting Fantasy: Crystal of Storms - by Rhianna Pratchett!|url=https://officialfightingfantasy.blogspot.com/2020/06/crystal-of-storms-by-rhianna-pratchett.html|access-date=2020-10-27|website=Fighting Fantasy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Crystal of Storms|url=https://www.fightingfantasy.com/crystal-of-storms|access-date=2020-10-27|website=fightingfantasy|language=en}}</ref> In September 2022, two more new titles were published, one by Steve Jackson (''Secrets of Salamonis'') and one by Ian Livingstone (''Shadow of the Giants''), in celebration of the series' 40th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-04-14 |title=Fighting Fantasy co-creators pen two new books for the series' 40th anniversary |url=https://officialfightingfantasy.blogspot.com/2022/04/fighting-fantasy-co-creators-pen-two.html |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Fighting Fantasy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-09-01 |title=40th Anniversary Fighting Fantasy titles released today! |url=https://officialfightingfantasy.blogspot.com/2022/09/40th-anniversary-fighting-fantasy.html |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Fighting Fantasy}}</ref> In September 2024, a new title by Ian Livingstone, ''The Dungeon on Blood Island'', was released.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-08-09 |title=The Dungeon on Blood Island |url=https://officialfightingfantasy.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-dungeon-on-blood-island.html |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Official Fighting Fantasy}}</ref>

[[image:sword_of_the_samurai.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Sword of the Samurai]]

Whenever the player engages an enemy in combat, the statistics for that enemy are displayed in the text. The player rolls 2d6 (a pair of six sided dice) and adds this number to their Skill, then does the same for their opponent. Whichever combatant has scored higher has wounded the other, and the wounded party must subtract 2 point from their Stamina. This process usually continues until one party's Stamina reaches 0, at which point they are dead.

=== United States ===

Luck comes into play at various points in the narrative, at which point the player will be instructed to roll 2d6 and compare the result to their Luck score. If the result is lower than their score they are considered to be Lucky and are informed of their results; conversely, a roll which results in a score higher than the players Luck will have a different, invariably negative, result.

''Fighting Fantasy'' was published in the United States by Laurel Leaf, an [[Imprint (trade name)|imprint]] of [[Dell Publishing]], beginning in November of 1983. These U.S. versions featured a new cover design, with the first eleven books using a white background for their covers and books 12 through 21 using a black background. Initially these editions had new cover illustrations by [[Richard Corben]] (books 1 through 7) and Richard Courtney (books 8 through 13), until 1986 when with ''Temple of Terror'' (book 14) the original Puffin Books cover illustration were used till the range ended with book 21, ''Trial of Champions''. During this run, ''House of Hell'' was re-titled ''House of Hades''.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In October 2003, iBooks of New York began republishing the books, beginning with the first two (''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'' and ''The Citadel of Chaos''). iBooks filled for [[Chapter 7 bankruptcy]] in February 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ibooks & Byron Preiss Visual Publications File Chapter 7 |url=https://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/8272/ibooks-byron-preiss-visual-publications-file-chapter-7 |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}</ref>

Some books employ extra statistics, such as ''[[Sword of the Samurai (Fighting Fantasy)|Sword of the Samurai]]'' ([[Jamie Thomson|Thomson]] & [[Mark Smith|Smith]], 1986), in which the character also has an Honour score, or ''[[Beneath Nightmare Castle]]'' ([[Peter Darvill-Evans|Darvill-Evans]], 1987) which employs a Willpower score. Other books allow the player to select from a number of abilities, such as the spells available in ''[[The Citadel of Chaos]]'' or the heroic abilities in ''[[Master of Chaos]]'' ([[Keith Martin (writer)|Martin]], 1990). In addition to this some books use vehicle combat as well as hand-to-hand, (examples include ''[[Starship Traveller]]'' and ''[[Freeway Fighter]]''), and most of the science fiction settings include ranged combat, with a variety of methods of resolution.

In October 2024, Steve Jackson Games announced that it had secured the U.S. rights to publish ''Fighting Fantasy'', with the first books scheduled to appear in "early 2025" in two waves of five books each.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daily Illuminator: Fighting Fantasy Returns To The U.S. – With Steve Jackson Games! |url=https://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/October_18_2024/Fighting_Fantasy_Returns_To_The_US_With_Steve_Jackson_Games |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=www.sjgames.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2024 |title=Fighting Fantasy |url=https://www.sjgames.com/fightingfantasy/ |access-date=22 October 2024 |website=www.sjgames.com}}</ref>

==Covers==

==Other media==

The original Puffin publication of the Fighting Fantasy series went through three distinct editions, characterised by differing cover layouts and spines, often referred to among fans as the 'original', 'green line' and 'gold dragon' editions. Despite these changes the artwork was unaffected throughout, with the exception of the first two books, ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'' and ''The Citadel of Chaos'', both of which recieved new cover illustrations upon release in 'gold dragon' format. The recent Wizard reprint features completely new cover artwork.

=== Printed ===

''[[Warlock (magazine)|Warlock]]'' magazine (first published by Puffin Books and later Games Workshop) provided additional information on the ''Fighting Fantasy'' universe, and each issue featured a short gamebook adventure, new rules, monsters, reviews and comic strips. It was published from 1983 to 1986 and ran for 13 issues in the UK. It was also published in other countries, and continued in Japan until 1997.

In 1984, Jackson published a [[tabletop roleplaying game|roleplaying game]], ''Fighting Fantasy – The Introductory Role-playing Game''. A second game was published in 1989: ''[[Advanced Fighting Fantasy]]'' (AFF). AFF was re-released as a new and further expanded edition by Arion Games in 2011.

The 'original' covers feature simple titles and bear the book's number in a large star in either of the bottom corners of the page, with the colour of the book's spine varying depending on the dominant colour of the cover art. The author's name is discretely placed at the top, due to Jackson and Livingstone's lack of celebrity at the time of publication. This layout was used from book 1 through 7, though these have also been published in the subsequent formats as well.

In 1985, Jackson wrote a picture gamebook with the title ''Tasks of Tantalon'', in which the player was required to solve a series of puzzles which were presented as large, full-colour pictures containing hidden clues to be located and assembled.

[[image:creature_of_havoc.jpg|right|128px|thumb|Creature of Havoc, the final 'green stripe' release]]

''[[The Warlock of Firetop Mountain (board game)|The Warlock of Firetop Mountain]]'' (1986) and ''[[Legend of Zagor#Other references|Legend of Zagor]]'' (1993) were released as [[board game]]s by [[Games Workshop]] and [[Parker Brothers]] respectively.

The 'green line' or 'zigzag' format featured a jagged green line across the top of the cover, bearing the phrase 'Adventure Gamebook' and the book's number, and is the first edition to employ the distinctive Fighting Fantasy logo and green spine. The only exception to this rule was the ''[[Sorecery!]]'' miniseries, which featured a red stripe and orange stripe. As with the 'original' editions, the author's name is not highlighted in any way, though it is worth noting that those books written by authors other than Jackson and Livingstone do not feature the author's name on the cover; rahter, the books are billed as 'Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone present...', a reflection upon Jackson and Livinstone's growing fanbase. This style was introduced to coincide with the release book 8, ''[[Scorpion Swamp]]'' ([[Steve Jackson (US)|Jackson(2)]], 1984), and all previous books were reissued in this format. The style continued to be used on all new books up to book 24, ''[[Creature of Havoc]]'' ([[Steve Jackson (UK)|Jackson]], 1986).

Between 1989 and 1994, seven novels were published based on ''Fighting Fantasy'', written by [[Steve Jackson (British game designer)|Steve Jackson]], [[Marc Gascoigne]], [[Ian Livingstone]], and [[Carl Sargent]].

The 'gold dragon' format features a gold dragon crouched on a large text box displaying the phrase 'Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone present' in bronze-foil print, in many cases in larger type than the title of the book itself; the only exceptions to this rule were those books which were actually written by either Jackson or Livingstone, in which case only the individual in question would be named. This format carried on the green spine from the previous edition, though the second printing did not feature the numbered spine; this was corrected for the third printing. Once again ''[[Sorcery!]]'' was except, bearing a purple dragon and orange spine. This format was introduced with book 25, ''[[Beneath Nightmare Castle]]'' ([[Peter Darvill-Evans|Darvill-Evans]], 1987) and maintained right up until the series concluded with book 59, ''[[Curse of the Mummy]]'' ([[Johnathan Green|Green]], 1995) and once again all previous books were reissued in this format. The bronze-foil print was discontinued after book 51, ''[[Island of the Undead]]'' ([[Keith Martin (writer)|Martin]], 1992).

In 1992, the ''Fighting Fantasy 10th Anniversary Yearbook'' (a diary with articles, trivia and a gamebook) was published.

When Wizard began to publish Fighting Fantasy in 2002, they completely redesigned both the cover art and the logo. The new art is glossier and considered to be more professional, though many nostalgic fans of the original series find it to be less satisfying. As only books written by either Jackson or Livingstone have been printed in this format it remains to be seen whether the actual author's name will feature on the cover or not.

In 2003, Jamie Wallis (not to be confused with [[James Wallis (games designer)|James Wallis]]) adapted eight ''Fighting Fantasy'' and ''Sorcery!'' gamebooks to the [[D20 System]]. These adventures were published by Myriador (now defunct, though PDFs are still available for purchase from Greywood Publishing via third-party online retailers).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfandfantasy.co.uk/php/gallery2a.php?subsection=38 |title=Fighting Fantasy: d20 Role Playing Game Conversions |publisher=SFandFantasy.co.uk |access-date=2017-07-21}}</ref>

[[Image:deathtrap_dungeon_original.jpg|128px|thumb|left|The original ''[[Deathtrap Dungeon]]'']]

[[Image:deathtrap_dungeon_green.jpg|128px|thumb|left|The 'green stripe' edition]]

[[Image:deathtrap_dungeon_dragon.jpg|128px|thumb|left|The 'gold dragon' edition]]

[[Image:deathtrap_dungeon_wizard.jpg|128px|thumb|left|The Wizard edition]]

<br style="clear: left"/>

A comic series based on ''[[Freeway Fighter]]'' was published by [[Titan_Publishing_Group|Titan Comics]] in May 2017.<ref>''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #383, 16 May 2017, pp. 38-41</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fightingfantasy.com/freeway-fighter|title=Freeway Fighter|website=www.fightingfantasy.com|access-date=2018-01-02}}</ref>

==Companion Books==

[[image:sorcery_4.jpg|right|128px|thumb|The final book of the Sorcery! series]]

Several additional books were published to supplement the core series, the most successful of which was Steve Jackson's ''[[Sorcery!]]'' series, which was published in from 1983 to 1985 and consists of ''The Shamutanti Hills'', ''Khare - Cityport of Traps'', ''The Seven Serpents'' and ''The Crown of Kings''. Billed as 'Fighting Fantasy for adults', it was the longest and most complex story published in the series and the only one to run over multiple volumes.

=== Audio ===

In 1984 Jackson produced a guide to muliplayer roleplaying using the Fighting Fantasy system and world, a volume simply titled ''Fighting Fantasy''. In 1985 a complete Fighting Fantasy bestiary was released, ''[[Out of the Pit]]'', and in 1986 it was followed by an adventure for the multiplayer system, ''[[The Riddling Reaver]]'' as well as a (then) complete encyclopedia of the Fighting Fantasy world, entitled ''[[Titan (book)|Titan]]''. In 1989 a second Fighting Fantasy multiplayer system was released, referred to as [[Advanced Fighting Fantasy]]. Three books were produced using this system - ''[[Dungeoneer]]'', ''[[Blacksand!]]'' and ''[[Allansia]]''.

In September 2017, a series of audio dramas based on classic ''Fighting Fantasy'' titles was launched by FoxYason Productions at Fighting Fantasy Fest 2, starting with ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain: The Hero's Quest''. A boxset of four more titles was released in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/fightingfantasyaudio|title=Fighting Fantasy Audio Dramas|publisher=Facebook|access-date=2018-04-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fightingfantasyaudiodramas.com|title=Fighting Fantasy Audio Dramas|publisher=Fox Yason Music Productions|access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref>

=== Video games ===

Seven Fighting Fantasy novels have also been published. These began with three standalone books, titled ''[[The Trolltooth Wars]]'' ([[Steve Jackson (US)|Jackson]], 1989), ''[[Demonstealer]]'' ([[Mark Gascoigne|Gascoigne]], 1991) and ''[[Shadowmaster]]'' ([[Ian Livingstone|Livingstone]] & [[Mark Gascoigne|Gascoigne]], 1992). In 1993 Ian Livingstone and [[Carl Sargent|Sargent]] began a four volume series entitled ''[[The Zagor Chronicles]]'', reprising the popular villain of ''[[Warlock of Firetop Mountain]]'' and its sequels.

Several ''Fighting Fantasy'' titles have been released as video games, including seven ''Fighting Fantasy'' titles (''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'', ''The Citadel of Chaos'', ''The Forest of Doom'', ''Temple of Terror'', ''Seas of Blood'', ''Appointment with F.E.A.R.'' and ''Rebel Planet'') for the [[Commodore 64]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[BBC Micro|BBC]], and [[ZX Spectrum|Sinclair ZX Spectrum]] (1984) and [[Deathtrap Dungeon (video game)|''Deathtrap Dungeon'']] for the [[IBM PC compatible|PC]] and [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] by [[Eidos Interactive]] (1998). On 18 August 2011 an adaption of ''[[Talisman of Death]]'' was released by UK developer Laughing Jackal for the ''PlayStation Minis'' platform (playable on the [[PlayStation Portable]] and [[PlayStation 3]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laughingjackal.co.uk/games/fighting-fantasy-talisman-of-death |title=Fighting Fantasy: Talisman of Death &#124; Games |publisher=Laughing Jackal |access-date=2011-12-12}}</ref>

{{main|Sorcery! (video game)}}

==Other media==

Cambridge-based studio [[Inkle (video game company)|Inkle]] released another interactive version of ''The Shamutanti Hills'' for [[iOS]] in May 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inklestudios.com/sorcery/|title=inkle - Sorcery!|website=www.inklestudios.com}}</ref> and has since gone on to release all four parts of Sorcery! on iOS, Android, Windows and Mac.

The video game ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain: Goblin Scourge Edition'' was released by Tin Man Games for the Nintendo Switch on 13 September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/the-warlock-of-firetop-mountain-goblin-scourge-edition-switch/|title=The Warlock of Firetop Mountain: Goblin Scourge Edition! for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details|website=www.nintendo.com}}</ref>

In 1984 a number of Fighting Fantasy [[videogames]] were released for the [[Commodore 64]], [[Amstrad]], [[BBC (computer)|BBC]], [[Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K]] and possible others. They were based directly on specific Fighting Fantasy novels - specifically ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'', ''The Citadel of Chaos'', ''The Forest of Doom'', ''[[Temple of Terror]]'', ''[[Seas of Blood]]'', ''[[Appointment with F.E.A.R.]]'' and ''[[Rebel Planet]]''.

Tin Man Games has also released the ''Fighting Fantasy Classics'' video game for Windows. ''[[Bloodbones]]'' is available for free and other titles are available as paid [[Downloadable content|DLC]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/856880/Fighting_Fantasy_Classics/|title=Fighting Fantasy Classics on Steam|website=store.steampowered.com}}</ref>

1986 saw the release of the ''Warlock of Firetop Mountain'' [[boardgame]], followed in 1993 by a second game based on the ''Legend of Zagor'' novels.

Nomad Games released Deathtrap Dungeon Trilogy for the Nintendo Switch in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2019/12/review-deathtrap-dungeon-trilogy.html|title = Review: Deathtrap Dungeon Trilogy (Nintendo Switch)| date=5 December 2019 }}</ref>

In [[1998]] [[Eidos Interactive]] published the ''[[Deathtrap Dungeon]]'' videogame for the [[IBM PC compatible|PC]] and [[PlayStation]].

==See= alsoMobile ===

On 5 December 2006, it was announced that Jackson and Livingstone were planning to release a new series of handheld games based on ''Fighting Fantasy'' for [[Nintendo DS]] and Sony's [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21532 |title=Fighting Fantasy gamebooks to come to handhelds // News |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz |access-date=2009-12-23 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The first of these, ''[[Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain]]'', was released for the DS in the United States on 25 November 2009, and for the [[Apple iPhone]] and [[iPod]] in early January 2010.

*[[List of Fighting Fantasy game books]]

*[[Choose Your Own Adventure]]

On 10 February 2011 an [[Amazon Kindle]] edition of ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'' was launched by UK developer [[Worldweaver Ltd]], for the US market.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldweaver.com/Gamebooks.aspx|title=Fighting Fantasy and Lone Wolf gamebooks at Worldweaver Ltd.|publisher=worldweaver.com|access-date=2013-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325060557/http://www.worldweaver.com/Gamebooks.aspx|archive-date=2013-03-25|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Warlock'' and four other gamebooks were released on iOS by Big Blue Bubble, but were removed from the app store in 2012 when they lost the licence.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://toucharcade.com/2012/08/07/fighting-fantasy-series-delisting-august-14th-entire-gamebook-adventures-series-currently-on-sale/ | title='Fighting Fantasy' Series Delisting August 14th | date=7 August 2012 | access-date=2013-05-26}}</ref>

==External links==

*[http://www.iconbooks.co.uk/wizard/ Current publisher Wizard Books]

Australian game developers Tin Man Games have since published several [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] versions of ''Fighting Fantasy'' books, including ''Blood of the Zombies'', ''[[House of Hell]]'', ''Forest of Doom'', ''Island of the Lizard King'' and ''Starship Traveller'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fightingfantasyapps.com/books/ | title=Books | publisher=Tin Man Games | access-date=2013-05-26 | archive-date=2013-04-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415125334/http://fightingfantasyapps.com/books/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> and an iOS version of the first part of the Sorcery! series was released by Bright Al Ltd in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.knowyourmobile.com/category/news/|title=News Category|date=August 25, 2020|website=Know Your Mobile}}</ref>

*[http://www.fightingfantasy.com A Fighting Fantasy fan site]

*[http://www.advancedfightingfantasy.com/ Unofficial web site dedicated to the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks genre]

''[[Sorcery! (video game)|Inkle's Sorcery! series]]'' is available on iOS, Android, Windows and Mac.

*[http://www.gamebooks.org/fitefant.htm A fan's review of some of the books in the series]

*[http://www.fightingfantasygamebooks.com Official website]

==Reception==

*[http://www.ffproject.com Fighting Fantasy Project, online-playable books in the Fighting Fantasy vein]

In March 1983, the top three entries of the Sunday ''[[The Times|Times]]'' bestseller list were occupied by ''Fighting Fantasy'' books.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28865399|title=The retro cult around Fighting Fantasy gamebooks|date=25 August 2014|work=BBC|access-date=17 June 2019}}</ref> The series sold 20 million copies in the 80s and 90s.<ref name=":2" />

''Fighting Fantasy'' was ranked 47th in the 1996 reader poll of ''[[Arcane Magazine|Arcane]]'' magazine to determine the 50 most popular roleplaying games of all time. The UK magazine's editor Paul Pettengale commented: "To say that it is basic would be a huge understatement – ''Fighting Fantasy'' has just a couple of stats from which a character is created, and combat is a simple case of rolling six-sided dice, pitching one creature's stats against another. It's fun, quick and easy, which explains its popularity."<ref name="Arcane14">{{cite journal|last= Pettengale|first=Paul|date= Christmas 1996 |title=Arcane Presents the Top 50 Roleplaying Games 1996|journal=Arcane|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|issue=14|pages=25–35}}</ref>

=== Moral panic ===

The books were published with illustrations from Games Workshop which, though something Puffin was resistant to accept, Ian Livingstone credits as part of the series' success.<ref name=":0" /> However, partially as a result of the covers, the game, along with ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', became the subject of a [[moral panic]]. The [[Evangelical Alliance]] issued a warning that the books would lead to players interacting with the devil, while parents reported that after reading their children developed supernatural powers, including one mother who reported that her child started to fly.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0076mwd|title=Dicing with Dragons|date=August 2004|type=Radio broadcast|language=en|publisher=BBC}}</ref> When asked about the controversy, Jackson replied that they were very grateful for it, as it helped their sales figures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laughingjackal.co.uk/post/fighting-fantasy-talisman-of-death-battles-its-way-through-submission|title=Fighting Fantasy: Talisman of Death battles its way through submission|website=www.laughingjackal.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref> Game historian Stu Horvath commented "The moral panic didn't dent sales. ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'' and the ''Fighting Fantasy'' series proved to be a massive on-ramp for bringing new players into the RPG hobby, particularly in the [[British commonwealth]] ... ''Firetop Mountain'' alone was reprinted five times in 1982, ten times in 1983, and seven more in 1984, eventually selling well over two million copies and inspiring a popular board game to boot."<ref name=mahg>{{cite book| last = Horvath| first = Stu| title = Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground| publisher = MIT Press| date = 2023| ___location = Cambridge, Massachusetts| pages = 107 | isbn =9780262048224 }}</ref>

==Reviews==

*''[[Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/Asimovs_v09n06_1985-06/page/n23/mode/2up | title=Asimov's v09n06 (1985 06) }}</ref>

==See also==

*[[List of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks]]

*[[Fantasy Interactive Scenarios by Telephone|F.I.S.T.]] – telephone-based single-player roleplaying game developed by Jackson and similar in many ways to ''Fighting Fantasy''

==References==

{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==

"[http://www.fightingfantasy.com/index2.htm}}} Fighting Fantasy Web Companion]", URL accessed on 2nd August 2005.

* [https://www.fightingfantasy.com/ ''Fighting Fantasy'' Gamebooks] - the official website

* [https://www.scholastic.com/ Scholastic homepage] - current publisher of the range

* [https://www.fightingfantasycollector.co.uk/ Fighting Fantasy Collector] - website with all cover versions for entire original series

* [https://sfandfantasy.co.uk/php/ff.php Fighting Fantasy: An Illustrated Bibliography] at SFandFantasy.co.uk

{{Fighting Fantasy}}

"[http://www.fightingfantasygamebooks.com/ Fighting Fantasy Official Site]". URL accessed on 2nd August, 2005.

[[Category:GamebooksFantasy gamebooks]]

[[Category:Children'sFighting Fantasy| books]]

[[Category:FantasyGames novelsWorkshop]]

[[Category:Puffin Books books]]

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[[Category:Role-playing game systems]]

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